Monday Morning Conversation

4.6.2020

It's probably the most beautiful day in the tri-state area over the past few weeks, so haven't spent much time inside (have the luxury of staying at my likely future-inlaws place in Stamford). 

Rather, I have been outside on the back porch, having Outlook open but really taking a nice long read through the Wall Street Journal. I promise you - if the studies haven't already come out, there is a stress and anxiety level associated with information coming through your phone (the headlines, the pace, the "news section" and what it focuses on - hint hint not the good stuff). I have been criticizing the phone since 2013 (for other reasons) but after reading the Wall Street Journal this morning, I am affirmed in my beliefs. 

The articles this morning have some similar content to what you may see on your phone, but as they say, the devil is in the details. Did your phone tell you about all the rules put in place at Nanjing Lukou International report (where private planes chartered by the chairman of Goldman were not allowed to land to bring supplies to the US and therefore had to adjust course), or how all the tigers who contracted the virus (from an asymptomatic zoo worker) will recover and of the animals that lived with the tiger(s), including snow leopards, lions, cheetahs, and a puma, do not seem to be symptomatic. 

The dialogue could go on and on and I'm not going to sit and tell you I know all the ins and outs of procurement and safety, but I do know the phone puts a storyline in our head that is not the REAL storyline. It feels biased, pointed, "head-liney" and just unfair. I'm sure you've told yourself or been told - "just put your phone down for a little, don't read the news." Avoidance of the phone may be good, but avoidance of the news is not. 

I urge you - read the local paper - many reputable publications (Washington Post, New York Times, LA Times) are providing some articles free of charge. Getting beyond the headlines and into the facts and FULL stories really is educational, and provided me comfort that everyone really is doing everything they can who has the means to do so. 

We'll only understand the takeaways of this pandemic once the dust settles 1-3 years down the road, but one takeaway during it for me is - don't avoid the news, but read the right stories (and don't focus on headlines). 

P.S. - all the other snippets about Fauci and Jay Wright go to this group (and now to this blog), but I take the road less traveled on quick hits - the bcc one-lane highway.